6.05 pm: Modi begins his roadshow in Varanasi as his convoy comes out of BHU to head towards BJP’s Varanasi headquarters.

5.40 pm: Narendra Modi’s fierce attack on Election Commission today drew sharp condemnation from Congress and JD(U) which dubbed the criticism as “outrageous and unjustified” and an indication of its “desperation”. READ FULL STORY

5.25 pm: Narendra Modi reaches Varanasi, to begin roadshow soon.

5.18 pm: We were unable to give permission for the meeting at night duty due to security reasons: CEC

5.15 pm: We are disappointed that questions are being raised over EC; we are not afraid of any political party or entity in discharging our duty: CEC READ FULL STORY HERE

3.45 pm: Local reports suggest that BJP has called off its dharna against the Election Commission after party delegation met the poll panel officials in Varanasi.

Modi is expected to reach Varanasi at 4 pm. However, he will not be addressing partymen and will only visit the party’s office in Varanasi in his motorcade and party workers are expected to put up a major roadshow by lining up along his cavalcade route.

3.30 pm: After Priyanka, Sonia reiterates that Narendra ‘Modi’s comment was an insult to Rajiv’s martyrdom. “23 years after the death of Rajiv Gandhi, Modi criticised him…What can one say about such a PM aspirant who insulted the martyrdom of Rajiv Gandhi,” says Sonia. READ FULL STORY HERE

1:24 pm: The Delhi Police today imposed prohibitory orders around the Election Commission complex as BJP workers sought to hold a protest against the denial of permission for Narendra Modi to hold rally at a venue of his choice in Varanasi.

1:15 pm: BJP leaders in New Delhi have started ‘Nyay March’ to protest against the poll panel over Modi’s rally.

12:58 pm: “So far there has been no reports of violence in any of the areas where Modi’s rallies are conducted. The officer is taking decision under some political pressures”, says Venkaiah Naidu over rejection of Modi’s rally in Varanasi.

If the nation has to move ahead then the farmers and the villages have to prosper: Narendra Modi

12:52 pm: “I say it with full responsibility, the Election Commission is partial. In the last three phases of elections, the poll panel has not done its job properly. I gave EC a warning on April 24″, says Narendra Modi addressing a rally in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh.

12:46 pm: The least the EC can do is to transfer the returning officer immediately”, says Arun Jaitley.

In last 3 phases EC has not done its duty properly & I am saying it that it is partial: Narendra Modi in Azamgarh http://t.co/FsxK4LRG1I

11:15 am: BJP workers and senior leaders staged protest against the Election Commission in New Delhi as well.

11:10 am: BSP chief Mayawati slams BJP over Modi’s rally in Varanasi. “It is a conspiracy of BJP along with Samajwadi for their mutual gains”, she said. People like Amit Shah and other BJP leaders always try to disturb the peace and communal in harmony in Uttar Pradesh.

10:30 am: “Returning officer in Varanasi is behaving like member of a political party. Will carry out a ‘Nyay March’ to EC office in Delhi”, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

10:27 am:

…… I went alone one day and performed arti. No one stopped me. I will again go with my wife today and do arti. Neeyat saaf honi chahiye

9.34 am: Arun Jaitley has attacked Election Commission: I cannot conceal my disappointment with the Election Commission. Men in constitutional offices need to be bolder. Timid men can dwarf high offices. READ FULL TEXT

9.30 am: Congress leader Meem Afzal has slammed the BJP over its protest against the Election Commission, saying the party has proved again that it does not respect constitutional bodies.

9.17 am: According to reports, the Election Commission replied to the letter of BJP leader Arun Jaitley over Narendra Modi’s rally in Varanasi, saying the issue of permission is dealt with at magistrate level.

8.56 am: BJP leader Rameshwar Chaurasia told mediapersons that Narendra Modi would come to Varanasi whenever Maa Ganga would call him and no one could stop him.

8.40 am:

It is unfortunate that EC is not concerned about the institution’s neutrality & that is why our Karyakartas have to embark on a Satyagraha.